Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) United States Mission Control Center (USMCC) Operations, Maintenance, and Technical Support

Operations, Maintenance, and Sustainment Support of the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) United States Mission Control Center (USMCC)

Sources Sought Notice

This Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is issued solely for market research purposes to identify capable small and large business entities and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quotation (RFQ). This notice does not represent a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor shall the Government incur any financial obligation for information submitted in response hereto. No claim against the Government may arise from a response to this SSN or from the Government's use of any submitted information. Failure to respond to this SSN does not prohibit participation in any potential subsequent solicitation. The information contained herein is subject to revision and imposes no binding obligation upon the Government. All submitted materials shall become the property of the Government and will not be returned. Any proprietary or copyrighted information included in a response must be explicitly marked as such. 

Requirement:  This notice is issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information System (NESDIS), Office of Satellite and Mission Operations (OSPO) to identify sources capable of providing 24x7x365 Operations, Maintenance, and Sustainment Support of the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) United States Mission Control Center (USMCC).  The SARSAT system relays distress signals from distress beacons carried by aviators, mariners and land-based users to Search and Rescue (SAR) services.  The anticipated period of performance is a base year plus four option years. 

The mission of the interagency SARSAT program is to:

Protect life and property by providing accurate, timely, and reliable distress alert and location information to search and rescue authorities.

The U.S. SARSAT Program Management Office manages, coordinates, and implements the United States activities in the international Cospas- Sarsat search and rescue program.

The mission of the SARSAT Program is fulfilled by:

1. Collecting and distributing reliable and accurate distress alert data in a timely fashion using satellite receiving stations and a mission control center.
2. Coordinating with national and international organizations on frequency management, satellite, emergency beacon and search and rescue issues.
3. Maintaining a national register for 406 MHz emergency beacons.
4. Operating, maintaining and improving the U.S SARSAT System, and representing the United States to the International Cospas-Sarsat Program.

Please refer to the Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) for detailed requirements description.

NAICS Code/Size Standard:  The applicable NAICS code is 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).

Key Criteria:

1. Provide 24x7x365 operation support for the USMCC, leveraging subject matter expertise to collect and distribute accurate, timely, reliable alert data.  Core responsibilities include:
   • Monitoring and operating remote satellite receiving stations as well as the mission control center.
   • Maintaining and managing the national 406 MHz emergency beacon database.
   • Delivering customer support and quality assurance for new and existing beacon registrations.
2. Demonstrate comprehensive expertise and in-depth knowledge of both the domestic U.S. SARSAT initiative and the International Cospas-Sarsat Program.
3. Coordinate frequency management, satellites, emergency beacons, and search and rescue matters with key partners:
   • National Organization:  NASA, USCG, USAF, FAA, FCC, and related agencies.
   • International Organizations:  COSPAS-SARSAT, ITU, IMO, ICAO, EUMETSAT, RTCM, RTCA, and other global bodies.
4. Provide comprehensive technical and programmatic support to the lead U.S. agency for the U.S. SARSAT Program, while representing the United States within the international Cospas-Sarsat Program.  Core support includes managing event logistics and delivering both on-site and remote meeting support for domestic and international conferences hosted on behalf of the U.S. Government.
5. Demonstrate working knowledge of the DOC and NOAA IT security requirements for maintaining, operating, and possibly transitioning a critical national system.

Required Response Information:

Capable small and large business vendors are requested to provide the following information in response to this SSN announcement:

1. Company Name/Division, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone number, and website URL (if available).
2. A single Point-of-Contact name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address.
3. Unique Entity ID (UEI). Please note that companies must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be considered potential sources (SAM.gov).
4. Business Size in relation to NAICS 541715 and any SBA socio-economic certifications.
5. Demonstrated capabilities in meeting the needs of the Key Criteria listed above.
6. Government-Wide Contract Vehicles (e.g. GSA Advantage, NASA SEWP and/or any NOAA-Awarded Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts) that can support the SARSAT USMCC requirements.
7. Please confirm whether your organization intends to submit a proposal for this requirement, and specify if you will be participating as a prime or as a subcontractor.
8. Conflict of Interest: Please detail the extent to which the respondent is aware of any potential organizational conflict of interest issues related to this requirement.

Response Format:

In order to better assist in the review of responses to this SSN, respondents are encouraged to prepare a capabilities statement that does not exceed 15 pages.

Response Submission Requirements and Deadline:

Responses to this SSN should be submitted via e-mail attachments, received no later than 05:00 PM, EST, 28 October 2026 to:

Contracting Officer: Trang Tran at Trang.tran@noaa.gov; and

Contracting Specialist: Scott DeLoera at Scott.deLoera@noaa.gov.